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It's hard to put my finger on why "Fire Exit" captivated me so completely — on face value, it seems to be about an ordinary man grappling with somewhat ordinary issues: navigating a relationship with his adult daughter and caring for his ailing mother. Morgan Talty is adept at exploring this average everyday human experience, however, and manages to unearth something profound in the mundane. Though my own human experience is far from that of main character Charles Lamosway, I nonetheless emerge somehow feeling seen.

Charles lives on the banks of a river in the Penobscot Reservation in Maine. Across the water, he can see Elizabeth, a young woman who is wholly unaware that Charles is her biological father. Charles has always wanted to be a part of her life, and is no longer willing to keep the secret from her. While he tries to navigate this moral dilemma, his mother begins to show signs of dementia, and he steps into the role of her caregiver. At its heart, "Fire Exit" is a novel about a man's search for his place in the world, his need for human connection, and the drive for love and belonging. By the end, I was charmed by Charles and warmed by his deep care for others.

The audiobook production was well done and Darrell Dennis did a great job on narration.

Thank you to NetGalley, RB Media, and Morgan Talty for providing a copy of this book for my honest review.